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No entry! BRITS arriving in Mallorca without proof of a negative PCR result for coronavirus will be sent home. This warning was laid down by Balearic government president Francina Armengol on the day PCR tests became required for international travellers flying to Spain. “We have the power to repatriate anyone who does not comply with this mandatory measure,” said Armengol. As the first flight jetted into the island on Monday, six passengers failed to present their ‘fit to fly’ documentation. All were ordered to take an antigen test by contracted airport staff and slapped with a €600 fine. Meanwhile, local business unions have criticised the enforcement of the PCR test in belief that they are too expensive and will put off tourists from travelling. In collaboration with the Spanish Confederation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodation, the Mallorcan Hotel Association has launched a campaign requesting the government to instead ask travellers to take an antigen test. In a letter sent to Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez they said: “PCR’s will generate tremendous problems for many because they are excessively expensive and not available in some countries.” Earlier this month, the Spanish government announced fines of up to €6,000 for any traveller arriving to Spain by sea or air. It applies to countries deemed ‘at risk’ and includes most European nations, with a requirement for the test to be taken up to 72 hours before the trip. The measure came despite studies revealing that only 0.08% of cases originated from international arrivals.
Future perfect
We examine the coming motoring revolution Page 7
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Vol. 4 Issue 94 www.theolivepress.es November 27th - December 10th 2020
Lockdown Lock-in EXCLUSIVE UNABLE to have his regular Friday night down the boozer during lockdown, expat Conor Wilde hit on a novel idea for this one - to build his own pub! The Irish expat, 46, got his mates over and converted his garden shed into what he claims is Spain’s smallFORGET THE DRAUGHT: Conor est watering hole. Measuring 2.4m by 2.5m, it counts and pals at makeshift local
on a cornucopia of Emerald Isle collectibles… and it even has Guinness on draught. “After being cooped up like a man in solitary in March I came up with a plan,” the Valencia-based real estate consultant told the Olive Press. “I had an old shed in the garden. I got the lads over – Tuejar, El Gallego & Champ – and we set about
turning it into Spain’s smallest pub. And if I say so myself, we’ve done a grand job.” Called El Irlandes, after his favourite Martin Scorsese film, it happily fits his closest pals in for the usual Friday night Blarney. Wilde, from Skerries, near Dublin, has run the Found Valencia agency for two decades.
Landing Brexit TALKS: Michel Barnier and PM Johnson
GOOD HAUL: Compromise with French fishermen could help set up a Brexit deal by this weekend hints MEP Christophe Hansen
A TRADE deal between the EU and Britain is on the verge of being finalised, after the EU looked set to cave in on fishing rights. An MEP b r o k e ranks to say that it looked likely the French w o u l d have to c o m promise with Boris Johnson’s de-
By Dilip Kuner
mands over UK waters. Christophe Hansen said the EU would have to meet the UK’s demands to clinch an agreement. “There will be compromises to be made on fisheries. The status quo, that is somewhere we’re not going to land,” he told an event. French fishermen are understood to have backed a compromise despite losing out on access to certain fishing grounds. It came after the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier told them to compromise in order to get the trade talks if there is to be an agreement.
Landmark trade deal is within days of being signed after fishing rights issue appeared solved
France had previously been refusing to back down on any fishing deal, demanding near-parity to the UK’s coastal waters. It comes as the governor of the Bank of England warned that a no-deal Brexit would be more economically damaging than COVID to the UK. Andrew Bailey said failure to get a deal signed would create a massive cross-border trade blockage and damage goodwill between Brussels and the UK. Meanwhile, Ireland leader Micheal Martin said on Monday he was hopeful that a Brexit deal would be completed this week. See page 7-10-16 Taoiseach Martin said ‘by the end of this week we could see the outlines of a deal’.
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He said it would come down to ‘political will, both in the United Kingdom and I’m clear the political will is there from the European Union’. EU ambassadors were told over the weekend that a trade deal with Britain is on the verge of being finalised. They were told the majority of the 11 main negotiation issues have ‘joint legal texts with fewer and fewer outstanding points’.
Progress The European commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, struck a positive note, saying: “After difficult weeks with very, very slow progress now we have seen in the last days better progress, more movement on important files. This is good.”
2
CRIME
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NEWS IN BRIEF A shed load of cash POLICE have arrested a 29-year-old man for stealing more than €10,000 in cash from an industrial warehouse in Sineu. So far, only €8,700 has been found, with the loot being hidden in the man’s tool shed.
Gas-tly theft A MAN has been arrested after pretending to be a gas inspector to prey on elderly residents in Palma. Once inside the homes, the detainee would say he needed the toilet and instead steal valuable items.
Dutch courage A DUTCH woman in her 60’s has been arrested for allegedly brutally attacking her husband with a bottle during a heated argument at their home in Palma.
Party people A BIRTHDAY party has been shut down in Ibiza for breaching the COVID-19 restrictions. Officers found more than 50 people, a huge bouncy castle, picnic area and sound system.
Shanty town attack Dirty dozen in assault on police
A TOTAL of 12 men have been arrested following a brutal attack on two police officers in Palma. The cops were ambushed by the gang after they arrived at a shantytown in Son Banya to arrest Jose ‘Chenchito’ FT. The known drug trafficker was wanted for previously assaulting four officers. Over 100 people congregated outside Chenchito’s home to stop the capture and hurled stones at the cops. Two police officers were surrounded by the mob and kicked and punched until they fell to the ground. One officer was bitten by Chenchito while attempting to cuff him, while the second cop was punched in
MOB MENTALITY: Gangs targetted police officers the face. Chenchito was able to flee and was arrested days later after being found hiding in the estate.
sicko rapes teen A MAN, 35, has been arrested after a teenage girl was raped in Mallorca. The 19-year-old victim was sexual assaulted in a field in Lloseta on November 21 after drinking at a bar on Avenida del Coco. Detectives say the teen was approached by the suspect who asked for her number and tried to kiss her. He walked her home and raped her after stricking her over the head with his motorcycle helmet. The teriffied teen was left with lesions after the attack.
Days after the attack, the ‘mayor’ of Son Banya, Antonio Amaya, said ‘he would not help police hand over anyone’. He said: “We are not going to stop the police. If they have to arrest someone, they should do it, but we are not going to do their job for them.” In 2017 government officials ordered for the shanty town to be demolished and offered inhabitants attractive relocation packages as well as generous housing benefits. During the state of alarm a baracade was erected at the town’s only access point by locals keeping outsiders out.
November 27th - December 10th 2020
Playground snatch Cops are on the hunt for a Spanish man who attempted to snatch two children outside a school in Mallorca. The IES Josep Sureda i Blanes pupils were reportedly targeted by a man driving a black BMW on Monday, November 23. Detectives say the first child was approached by the suspect as he was walking home. The suspect pulled his vehicle up beside the boy and asked him to get inside. The child refused and ran to a nearby house to ask for help. Minutes later, a second child was approached by the same suspect. This time the man was more aggressive, grabbing the child’s arm from the vehicle. The youngster was able to escape and run back into the school to ask a teacher for help. Anyone with information is urged to contact the authorities.
Cruel cut
A WOMAN who attempted to slice off her boyfriend’s penis during oral sex has been jailed for two years in Mallorca. The defendant, a 52-year-old Colombian, admitted in court to seriously wounding her former partner, 39, with a sixinch blade. The couple had been out drinking in Alcudia when defendant suggested that the pair have sex in a secluded area near the Roman Theatre. Once in a hidden spot, the defendant began to perform a sex act on her boyfriend before attacking him with a knife. The shocked victim suffered a gash on his scrotum and required multiple stitches on his face and scalp.
Ugly truth
POLICE in Mallorca have discovered that a beauty salon has been used to sell heroin and marijuana. As part of a crackdown on narcotics in the capital, a 42-yearold man and a 40-year-old woman were arrested in the anti-drugs operation. Footage of the raid in Son Gotleu shows police searching the premises with an officer finding narcotics hidden inside hair rollers. Covert surveillance revealed that the salon’s ‘clients’ purchased the narcotics from behind the till.
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NEWS
www.theolivepress.es FIVE Barn owls have been introduced to a Marina Alta farming community as part of a major plan to enhance the flora and fauna of the area. The village of Jesus Pobre, two kilometres from Gata de Gorgos (Alicante), is involved in a project to restore species that are vital to farming ecosystems.
RESTORED: Barn Owls
Role replacement MALLORCA local Mads Mikkelsen (pictured) has been tipped to replace Johnny Depp as Gellert Grindelwald in the Fantastic Beasts film. Depp was axed from the cast of the latest Harry Potter spin-off when he lost his trial against The Sun newspaper, who called him a ‘wifebeater’ in 2018. The court found the claims made about Depp, 57, were ‘substantially true’ following statements from his wife Amber Heard, 34. After featuring in films such as Casino Royale, Mikkelsen is now director David Yate’s firm favourite to take over the role. No stranger to the Balearic Islands, Mikkelsen snapped up a luxury pad in the heart of Mallorca several years ago. Situated in the trendy Santa Catalina area, the Danish expat relocated several years ago.
November 27th - December 10th 2020
What a hoot! That includes the barn owls who are seen as a useful way of combating pests that destroy crops. Nesting boxes will be put up close to farmland to encourage kestrels, bats, and red-tailed scrub robins to make the area their home. Population monitoring is planned to check out the success of the initiative.
Asthmatic actress
As The Crown hits TV screens again, Diana actress Emma Corrin reveals her on set health struggles while filming in Spain STAR of The Crown Emma Corrin has revealed she was hospitalised when filming the hit Netflix drama in Spain. The actress, who plays Princess Diana in the newly released fourth season of the show, said she had been suffering from asthma and a severe cough and stopped at a hospital for antibiotics. It was there that doctors refused to let Corrin, 24, leave as her oxygen levels had become worryingly low.
By Lydia Spencer-Elliott
It came after Corrin had filmed an underwater scene for The Crown in a freezing cold swimming pool in Spain where the show had spent two months filming in a bid to recreate Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s 1983 tour of Australia. And this was not the first time the show had come to the Costa del Sol. An airport scene
Marian’s dreams fulfilled
DREAMS: Marian Avila was honoured
for season three was shot in Torremolinos’ congress centre. The show has recently come under fire for straying from alleged real life events. Biographer Penny Junor, who has been covering the royal family for around four decades, told reporters: “Peter Morgan [director] has invented stuff to make expensive and very rich drama. It’s the most cruel and unfair and horrible portrayal of almost all of them.” Historians have raced to point out fabrications in the latest series’ script including the royal family intentional attempt to humiliate Margaret Thatcher at Balmoral and Princess Margaret mocking Princess Diana for not being able to curtsey. “Sometimes you have to forsake accuracy, but you must never forsake truth,” said Morgan in response.
DON’T ‘sashay away’ from your sofa because RuPaul’s Drag Race has announced it’s coming to Spain. The reality-competition show follows a group of elite drag artists as they battle it out to be crowned the drag scene’s next superstar. Commissioned by the suitably sassily named media company ¡Hola Hola Hola!, alongside Spanish broadcaster Atresmedia, the show will be titled Drag Race Spain and promises an ‘update’ on the show’s classic format. Drag Race Spain joins a long line of international spin-offs, including Drag Race Thailand, Canada’s Drag Race, Drag Race Holland and The Switch Drag Race from Chile. And RuPaul is not the only hit-show to announce its expansion to a Spanish network lately. Love Island Spain was announced by ITV back in September, so there will be plenty to keep viewers entertained in 2021. SASSY: Ru Paul
Sea legs
GEORGINA Rodriguez has taken yoga to the high seas. Posing in blue athletic wear, the 26-year-old model proved boyfriend Cristiano Ronaldo, 35, isn’t the only one with sporting skills as she showed off her ability to perform the splits. She captioned the Instagram snap: 'Entre el mar y el cielo', meaning 'between the sea and the sky'.
STRETCH: Rodriguez
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A SPANISH model with Down’s syndrome has received a prestigious award for being ‘an example to follow’. Marian Avila, aged 23, picked up the 2020 Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy award in a ‘virtual’ ceremony hosted in Denver earlier this month. She shared the honour with actor Caterina Scorsone from the popular TV series Grey’s Anatomy. Marian Vila said: “People with Down’s syndrome can achieve as much as anybody else. My motto is I can. “We can all fulfil our dreams and I am very happy and honoured to have receive such an important award.”
BREATHLESS: Corrin
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4 www.theolivepress.es Taxing Bullied teen, 13, welcome BARCELONA superstar Lionel Messi had a miserable welcome when he returned to Spain from international duty - the Spanish tax man. As his private jet returned from Argentina, five people from Hacienda boarded the flight to order him to pay an undisclosed tax bill before leaving El prat airport. Speaking to reporters he said: “After 15 hours of flying, I came up against people from the tax agency. It's crazy." In 2016 Messi and his father Jorge were found guilty of tax fraud, with both being given suspended 21 month prison sentences. Messi was also ordered to pay a fine of €1.8 million.
Xmas cheer MORE than 1,000 vulnerable families have been given a Christmas lights boost. While some people might be disappointed that Calvia’s town hall has cancelled decorative lighting for the festivities, the €130,000 saved will instead be used to give the town’s poorest families a little Christmas cheer. Mayor Alfonso Rodriguez revealed that the cash will be shared amongst 1,257 families in the form of vouchers to be spent on food and other essential items. They will also be able to use the vouchers to buy Christmas presents for their children. “This year we want to promote solidarity in the community and support those who need it the most,” said Rodriguez.
in suicide attempt
GREEN campaigners are rejoicing after plans to erect over 100 giant pylons were effectively sparked out this week in Andalucia. In a shock win, they thanked the Olive Press for its yearlong campaign to stop the ‘motorway of power lines’ through two iconic Granada valleys. Our Fight the Power campaign, launched in March 2019, strongly opposed the long lines of pylons and a giant electricity substation in the Alpujarras and Lecrin Valley. We were joined by celebrated writer Chris Stewart and pop star Dr Robert of the Blow Monkeys to oppose the ‘crazy abomination’. The battle erupted when locals unearthed energy giant Red Electrica’s state-funded plan to erect the 80 metre high structures, mostly on private land. Grassroots movement Di No a Los Torres (Say No to the Towers) was quick to ar-
NEWS A BULLIED teen has attempted to end her life by jumping off a balcony in Mallorca. The schoolgirl, aged 13, plunged off the balcony of her family home in Palma’s La Vileta district. She was rushed to Son Espases hospital and is now fighting for
November 27th - December 10th 2020 her life in the ICU. According to police, the girl had been bullied at school and had written several letters describing the abuse she suffered. Investigators say this is not the first time the teen attempted to kill herself.
ELECTRIFYING!
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After probing the shady interests behind the project, we managed to get the story printed in the national newspapers in the UK. Robert Howard, singer of the Blow Monkeys, who
ta
12th 2019
POWER
LESS: The
Black out
Holdups
A BRITISH expat couple ‘disaster’ after are facing ‘monstrous’ they learnt one of a to be built electricity masts (left)the in their back is Steve Holdup, garden. 61, who live 62, and wife Karen, near Orgiva,on a self sufficient lose their sole could ironically farm solar panels, source of power even from The retired which are in the way. from Cumbriateachers, who moved a decade they have ago, claim been kept energy company in the dark by out about the REE, and only found Steve told pylon from a friend. the Olive having a fantastic Press: “From house we from scratch rebuilt ended up with ten years ago, we’ve “We put all a disaster. and now we of our life saving into it a 220 volt face having to live tower directly with home.” behind our If built, the vice road willtower and adjoining sercut right field of 13 solar panels. through their “So somebody load of electricityin Germany gets a result of putting from Morocco of our house a tower at the as a back and we end the little electricity up losing ves.” He added: we have for oursel“It has been the most chevalier done in fashion you imagine. could
POWER STRUGG LE: Christ Stewart and Dr Robert X-GENESIS (inset above) Stewart has drummer Chris Over joined the join long, ght against fi- gion Lemons novel made snaking a ‘motorwa power protest against famous the rey’ of growing added his dalucia’s iconiclines planned pylon project name for Ancollective Alpujarra EXCLUS The British expats battling of campaignto a s region. IVE author - whose By Tim McNulty ing These include the proposal While supposed Driving former 80s . tor Robert, ly necessar TM electricity star Doc- again private from the Blow y financial it is set to from Morocco to to take Howard, Monkeys, riding roughsho interests ruin the untouche Europe, are of the d over the Valley forwho has lived in the who d beauty li- ever,rights of the people,the will and sands area, enjoyed by Lecrin ve Press: two decades, ves in the tens of nature a wake leaving, as lovers each of thou- massive “The project told the OliThe Di No tion,” Stewart of heedless nearb year. A Las Torres pylons across to take these told the Olivedestruc- The Towers) an abomina L e c r i y this week. (Say No To group argues Press, tage tion. It will our valley is TM tating conseque V a l l e y n “One day the towers have high volting effect’ would have a ‘devastally and economi nces environmdevaswhich is, reasonable, tide will turn and entaprevail; but sustainable ways more ture, as wellon tourism and agricul“It’s a magical cally. also set to as health. place, a ‘Vale it’s back to seemingly not yet; will A petition has ppiness’, be badly as the Moors Of HaThe outragethe barricades again.”so... a protest saw been launched, place affected over a thousand while vation.of natural beauty called it, a ple vealed energycomes after it by and conserSee pages the ca was re- charmarch near the village peo- “These company 40 project. on Sunday. de España Red Electriof Congiant pylons (REE) plans The protest, a network landscape, “ O n c will scar to install expats of some 211 which included e across could destroy the tourist business and giant pylons the two valleys. the local many to stopchildren, is the many environm es and ravage start ent. the of “There the Blow Monkeys scheme. are singer Robert people - we no benefits at all *Offer e nds 30/ 11/18. N Ecotourism must fight to stopfor local ot valid them.” is vital to UK BASED for rene which was the wals. Su bject to nominate region, UNESCO conditio d as ns. in 2017, World Heritage sitea some of themainly for having world’s oldest ve groves. oliSome 245 Reliable private businesses for Spanish rural tourism work in 2/8/18 hire transfer 17:01 services and which for any occasion residents is set to havethe valley pylons - receives 109 of the • Luxury vehicles www.globelink an estimated 8,000 visitors • Door to door service .co.uk every weekend The figures • Airport collection which will for the Alpujarra . s • Weddings s, transport ching all the see pylons stret• Sightseein way to the g day trips 96 626 5000 ria border, • Restauran are certainly Almet shuttles +44 (0) 1353 higher. much See page 699082 Find out Scottish more at: 2 www.sim Keon, 49, expat Teresa Mcply-shuttl forefront who has been at the tel: 951 279 es.com 117 info@sim the Olive of the campaign, told ply-shuttl Press: “The es.com www.eliteglasscurt place is going whole ains.com it is just awful...to be destroyed it really is ful.” aw-
has a E home 123 282 in the 902Lecrin Valley, described the scheme as ‘ravaging’ for the region saying it would ‘have devastating consequences environmentally and economically’. Driving Over Lemons writer Chris Stewart added it was ‘heedless destruction’ and showed private interests ‘riding roughshod over the will and rights of the people’. Now the Junta de Andalucia has effectively ruled that REE cannot build its second substation, which would connect the long lines of pylons across the region. A subsequent appeal by the electrical giant has also been rejected, according to campaigners this week. “It’s great news,” Teresa McKeon told the Olive Press. “Thank you so much for all your articles and the campaign you launched. “We continue to work behind the scenes to try to safeguard the natural beauty of our landscape from this and other threats.” Tel: 902 123 282
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Opinion
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A BRITISH cancer patient is just days away from completing his epic challenge to swim the equivalent distance of the island’s coastline to raise money for Cancer Support Mallorca. Philip James Baber, 48, is just over €1,000 short of his €7,000 target and 18 kilometres off the mammoth 555 kilometre feat. The money raised will help the charity continue to provide vital support to cancer patients and their families, as it did for Philip and his wife Meg last year. The self proclaimed fitness fanatic’s health took a turn for the worse in May 2019 when he became crippled by an agonising lower back pain. TOGETHER: The Baber family After weeks of endless
Last push
tests, Philip was diagnosed with a particularly aggressive strain of grade four cancer that had spread onto his spine and around his body. “The tumours literally littered my body and were growing, heading towards my spinal cord and vital organs - the odds were not looking good,” the Brit told the Olive Press. Cancer Support Mallorca has given the couple invaluable support since the heart-breaking diagnosis, helping with all of Philip’s medical admin while also putting the pair in touch with nutritional and alternative therapy experts. More information: Facebook – ‘Philip’s fundraiser for Cancer Support Group, Mallorca’.
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SPAIN’S Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has penned a heartfelt letter to the 11-yearold victim of a vicious homophobic attack. The young boy had to be hospitalised after a bully called him a ‘fag**t’ and repeatedly punched him so hard he broke his nasal septum. The victim was attacked as he was leaving school in Cartagena, Murcia and had to undergo emergency surgery. “I am writing to send you my love,” Sanchez typed in his letter.
Mijas Cos
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Celebrities join furious expa ts and local s to stop ‘abominati of pylons on’ set to ruin serie of celebrateds tourist valle ys
TheOlivePres
gue the high voltage towers would have a ‘devastating effect’ on tourism, agriculture and health.
‘You’re brave’
Fight the power! On the eve of Andalucia day, we look at the history of one its most famou s group of residents, gypsies See page 12
SAVED: the stunning Andalucian countryside and how it would have looked
By Laurence Dollimore
HEARBREAKING Balcony fall
Wounds “Now it is the turn of your friends and the public institutions to take care of those wounds that don’t wear bandages, the wounds of the heart. “To guarantee that you can return to class to enjoy and learn.” It comes after the boy’s sister told reporters that bullies ‘called him fag**t many times and always harassed him.’ Sanchez went on to call him brave for wanting to go back to school to study. “The brave like you are the ones who end up finding true happiness in life,” the PSOE leader wrote.
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LA CULTURA
How surreal
A NEW show at the CaixaForum in Madrid has wowed visitors with its display of over 279 surrealist works of art. Surrealism, an art form traditionally defined as art that explores the subconscious mind, is a particularly apt movement for those using culture as escapism during these challenging times. While the show features surrealist figureheads such as Dali and Man Ray, it also looks forward to the surrealist influences on modern art: for example, Bjork’s experimental music videos.
Desire
The exhibition, called Objects of Desire: Surrealism and Design 1924-2020, is an immersive experience with towering Dali landscapes for the viewer to lose themselves in. Fans of Surrealism will recognise the iconic works on display, including scenes from Bunuel’s Un Chien Andalou and Man Ray’s Le Violon. But the exhibition’s curators hope the show will also inspire a new generation of surrealist designers in Spain.
November 27th - December 10th 2020
Fake news move
Shades of Banksy in coronavirus inspiration
GRATITUDE: Overcoming is a thoughtful tribute
Brush with COVID A SPANISH artist has been combatting coronavirus with optimism by painting intricate murals on hospital facades for doctors and nurses to enjoy. Known as ‘Pejac’, the painter has created three intricate and eye-catching pieces across the outer walls of Marques de
By Lydia Spencer-Elliott
Valdecilla University Hospital in Santander. “The project is a gesture of gratitude to health workers in general and during this COVID crisis in particular,” said Pejac. “I’m offering them what I do best, which is painting.” Easily comparable with Bristol’s anonymous artist Banksy, Pejac redesigns well known images by the likes of Monet or Delacroix to convey a socially-charged message. Named Social distance, Overcoming and Caress, Pejac’s paintings have been finished with a helping hand from the children in the hospital’s oncology unit.
Overcoming shows a child recreating Van Gogh’s Wheat Field with Cypresses with his hands. The boy is propped up on a wheelchair, harnessing his disability to paint where other children can’t reach.
Heart
“This is something that we, as a society could do,” says Pejac. “We could take this crisis and use it to propel us forwards.” And this is not the first project with a social cause at its heart that Pejac has taken on. His last commission took place at the El Dueso, Cantabria, where prison inmates painted alongside him to complete an eye-catching mural.
A NEW law has been introduced to better monitor ‘fake’ news stories in Spain. While the main target is foreign countries putting out disinformation, it will also look at false reporting domestically. It comes after government ministers were forced to deny incorrect reports of a September lockdown first published by an English-language free-sheet and posted on its website. The law is an extension of a decree brought in by previous Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy in March 2019. Officials were keen to point out that no censorship will take place but it allows the govern-
ment to spring into action to counteract such ‘fake’ news. The European Commission has backed the move, with a spokesman, saying: “The measure guarantees that Spain is now part of the EU’s Action Plan against Disinformation.” Fingers have pointed to ‘fake’ campaigns coming from Russia in the 2016 US presidential election and last December’s general election in the UK. Spain’s deputy Prime Minister, Pablo Iglesias said: “The greatest threat to our democracy is the coup-plotting far-right and the behaviour of certain media groups that show contempt for the truth.”
A Promised Land BOOK REVIEW
6
SINCE Barack Obama handed over the reins of presidency to Trump, the world has been waiting for his presidential memoir. In this first volume, Obama takes the reader on a journey from childhood to the killing of Osama Bin Laden in 2011, focusing mainly on his political aspirations and career as President. We are given insights into his thought process, the dynamics of US politics, opinions of other world leaders, his battles with racism, and personal stories of life with his family in the White House. It is intimate, powerful, and compelling and above all, hopeful. Obama maintains his belief that progress is always possible and that ‘democracy is not a gift from on high, but something founded on empathy and common understanding and built together, day by day’.
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HE news that the UK is planning to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 is expected to push the motor industry even faster into the adoption of ‘green’ technology. In Spain the long term aim is for the entire country to be carbon neutral by 2050, although plans
November 27th - December 10th 2020
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Dilip Kuner takes a look at the latest concepts in electric vehicles
for the wholesale conversion of transport to electric are not as ambitious as those in the UK. Earlier this year, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced a bill to ‘encourage’ Spain’s motor industry into a greener future. But
FIGHT ON: VW’s ID.4 is aimed at taking on Tesla’s EVs
a mooted ban on the sale of diesel or petrol powered vehicles by 2040 was turned down. The bill aimed to bring Spain’s motor industry alongside its international counterparts in terms of carbon neutrality. The new automotive plan focuses on the environmentally friendly electric and hybrid car industry and aims to make the technology cheaper, and easier to use and access across the country. Special incentives will be rolled out over the coming years to encourage the ownership of environmentally friendly vehicles, both private and commercial. Companies will be given special subsidies to replace their current fleets of vehicles with electric models. In total, the government is granting a total of €3.75 billion towards making electric and hybrid cars cheaper than petrol and diesel to buy by 2027. But there is no need to wait that long if you wish to help save the planet. Car manufacturers have been developing electric vehicles for years now. And 2021 will see
MATTER OF TASTE: The ‘futuristic Tesla Cybertruck is certainly unusual
the launch of a new generation of EVs that could be game chang- models and specs are planned for next year. ers. While still more expensive than Apart from its green motor, Volvo their ICE contemporaries, subsi- has also introduced frameless dies and scrappage schemes are mirrors and a lighter-than-leather bringing them into the reach of vegan interior fabric designed to mimic the durability of a wetmany more people’s wallets. One of the most unusual will suit be the Tesla Cybertruck. Aimed A pair of electric motors work with 27-module lithium ion squarely at the US market where a ‘trucks’ are a huge segment, this battery pack to deliver an imretro-futuristic ‘space machine’ pressive 402 horsepower, and a range of up to 275 is sure to make it miles. But all this to Spain at some comes at a price point. For build with the luxury Clad in dent-proof car costing from stainless steel it quality and €59,900. looks like sometop class When it comes thing out of Mad to mainstream Max, and accordengineering manufacturers, ing to Tesla boss Nissan was one Elon Musk it will look at Volvo of the first to enbe a ‘really tough, ter the market. not fake-tough’ Its LeafEV was truck. Mind you, he ended up with launched a decade ago, and now egg on his face at the vehicle’s has sales of nearly half a million. launch when he tried to prove The car giant is aiming to build on its durability through a series of this success in late 2021 with the ‘torture tests’. All was going well launch of the Ariiya, a more styluntil Musk hurled a steel ball at ish take on emission-free the vehicle and shattered its ‘ar- transportation. The five-passenger crossover moured’ glass. Deliveries of the plug-in pick up features a surprisingly aggressive are due to start in 2021 with pric- look, with some swoopy, concave surfacing and wheels pushed to es starting from €39,900. While Tesla has been the leader the corners. in EVs (particularly in the publicity The interior is minimalist, with a stakes) it will have more compe- low, flat floor and a vibe that Nistition than ever next year, with san calls ‘lounge-like’. It will mainstream manufacturers not have a claimed range of around only ready to unveil a slew of lat- 300 miles and pricing is expected est-technology models, but also to start from around €34,000. Mercedes-Benz will enter the ahead of the game. For build quality and top-class en- all-electric field with the five-seat gineering Volvo is worth a close look. Their Polestar 2 five-seater launched this year - brings Volvo polish and Swedish style to compete with Tesla’s Model 3. It is the second vehicle to come from Volvo’s new performance arm (the other, the 1, is a hybrid petrol-electric), and alternative
crossover EQC - and they are aiming for the top end of the market. The 402 HP monster will be luxurious and will also have good performance for a big car - it will hit 60mph from a standing start in around six seconds. This performance and luxury will be wrapped in a package with a range of 200 miles. A price has not been announced - but it won’t be cheap! Meanwhile Volkswagen’s new ID.4 SUV is aimed squarely at taking on Tesla. Starting prices are €45,400 in Spain and has a range of 250 miles. Staying with the German marques, the 2021 Audi e-tron GT promises to be a big hit.
Impressive
It is a sleek, electric sedan with loads of power and polish. Behind the streamlined bodywork is some architecture shared with the Porsche Taycan EV. With 590 horsepower, the two-motor GT should accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour in an impressive three seconds, and will be able to gain an 80% charge in just 20 minutes. The car is billed as top-of-the range in the Audi EV portfolio, so expect to pay €100,000 plus for it. These are just some of the electric cars that will grace our roads in the near future - there are many more planned from just about every major manufacturer. So this is just a glimpse of the future - which may be arriving sooner than you think.
952 147 834 *Offer valid for new customers only. Subject to conditions. Ends 31/12/20. **Cepsa voucher offer ends 06/12/2020. T’s&C’s at lineadirecta.com
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Clam Stricter driving laws to come into force in Spain - all you need to know
HERO: Carlos Sainz
A
S I walk through a rural village deep in southern Spain on a Sunday afternoon, I notice a white van parked with a #93 Marc Marquez sticker on the rear window. Fifty yards further along the road, the roar of V6 hybrid engines could be heard emanating from a local bar as a group of transfixed regulars follow the latest Formula One race. Motorsports in Spain has long been ingrained in the DNA of the population, with global superstars capturing the imagination of young children, whilst their impassioned parents following their idols every move. Spain has a long history of motor racing, both on two and four wheels.
In our DNA By James Warren
With their Formula One history dating back to the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix in Guadarrama in 1936. After the Spanish civil war, events have been held almost every year since until today, with the truncated 2020 season hosting the Spanish GP at the Circuit de Barcelona Montmelo. Motor racing stars have become god-like figures to their followers, the multi talente d
Fernando Alonso being one of the sports brightest stars. Alonso is a two-time world champion in F1, a world endurance champion and has been a frontrunner in both the Indianapolis 500 and the gruelling Dakar Rally. He is also noted for his charity work and his tireless work as a Unicef GoodWill Ambassador. Off-Road, an equally influential figure emerged in the outrageous Group B days in Spanish World Rally Championship. Carlos Sainz has almost become a household name for his flawless record, with his son Carlos Sainz Jr
CHAMPION: Fernando Alonso is a Spanish superstar
Race to change licence
NEW advice has been released for British expats in the run up to the end of the transition period. All Brits living in Spain must exchange their DVLA British licence for a Spanish one before December 31. The government has long advised that anyone who has lived in Spain for at least six months should have a Spanish licence but the number of people trying to book a cita previa at DGT offices has soared as the December deadline approaches. The Olive Press reported in October that the British Embassy said that it was in discussion with the Spanish
currently holding the Spanish mantle in F1 this year. On two wheels, the list of icons is as long as the proverbial, with 1980’s MotoGP stars such as Ángel Nieto, Sito Pons and Jorge Martínez still being as relevant today as they were 40 years ago. During the 500cc heyday, riders such as Sete Gibernau and Alex Criville collected numerous titles before stars such as Jorge Lorenzo, Dani Pedrosa and Marc Marquez continued to fly the flag for Spain. But why is Spain so motorsport focused? It can be separated into two factors, funding and influence. The government has for a long time, invested heavily in motor racing, valuing the economic and social impact on the country. It is estimated that the F1 event in Barcelona earns the region a staggering 163 million, meaning large amounts of funding has been injected into state of the art facilities. Racing is also encouraged at an incredibly young age, with world renowned youth training academies nurturing talent that could one day become the country’s next superstars.
HARSHER penalties and lower speed limits are on the cards if the Ministry of Transport has its way. It has approved changes to the traffic code that aims to crack down on some of the most common causes of traffic accidents. The new code still needs to be approved by parliament, which is thought to be a formality. “Since 2016, distractions are the main cause of serious accidents,” said Spain’s Interior Minister Fernando Grande Mar-
By James Warren
laska. The new laws will also target speed limits in urban areas, driving without seat belts and tighter regulations on where electric scooters can be ridden. If the law comes into force, drivers caught using mobile phones while driving will face losing six points on their licence instead of the current three, with repeat offenders losing a further four.
NEW RULES: Fernando Grande Marlaska (inset) is getting
transport authorities and plans were afoot to revise the system to make it easier for expats to secure an appointment. Now the details of the new two-step process have been published. The first step is to make an application to the DGT before December 30 either by calling 060 or via the online portal if you have a digital certificate/CLAVE. In some provinces it may also be possible to download the form to take to a local office or for a representative (eg a gestor) to do this on your behalf. We understand that for this part of
the process you do not need to have a residency certificate or TIE, but you will need a NIE. If you do not hear anything from the DGT in the meantime, three days after submitting your application you can request an appointment with the DGT to do the exchange. This should be booked on the DGT’s website. As long as your application has been submitted before December 30, and the UK authorities have verified your licence by the end of the year, your appointment to exchange your licence can be after January 1, 2021, provid-
mp down
November 27th - December 10th 2020
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MINI MENTAL
PENALTY: Harsher fines in store
Four points will also be issued for drivers not wearing a seatbelt, mo-
torcycle riders not wearing a helmet and children in vehicles
tough on phones and e-scooters
ed it is within the first six months of theyear. Please note that you will need a residency certificate/TIE to do final exchange, so if you are in the process of applying for residency you may want to choose a later date for your appointment. Irrespective of whether a UK licence has been verified for exchange by the end of the year, you will be able to drive in Spain using your UK licence for six months from January 1, 2021. The future rules on exchange and recognition of UK licences are still subject to negotiation.
without the proper child seat. Drivers with devices fitted to their cars to detect speed cameras will lose three points as well as a fine of €500. Regarding speed limits, one way roads will be reduced to 20km/h with single lane roads down to 30km/h. Urban roads will also be reduced from 50km/h to 30km/h. The current trend of electric scooters has also been targeted in a crack down on accidents involving irresponsible users. E-Scooters and Segway style vehicles will now be banned from all pavement and pedestrianised areas, with offenders facing a €500 fine. Marlaska hopes that the new laws will help reduce road deaths and serious injuries caused by careless driving by up to 50%. The proposal is currently awaiting confirmation by the central government before a full roll-out can be scheduled.
IT might be a Mini, but this unusual model aims to have a tardis-like interior! Dubbed the Mini Vision Urbanaut, its designers call it a ‘new interpretation of a vision of space’. Although the car currently only exists in digital form, the company, owned by BMW, is optimistic that it will become one of the most stylish vehicles for the future. “Mini sees its future primarily as an enabler of and companion for unforgettable times – what we might call ‘Mini
moments,” explains head designer Oliver Heilmer. This involves various settings for the interior including Chill and Vibe, that changes the dynamic inside. Chill turns the 4.46m-long car into ‘a kind of retreat, a haven where you can relax – or work with full concentration – during a journey.’ Vibe meanwhile ‘puts time with other people at centre stage,’ creating a lively but comfortable atmosphere for everyone. The model does not have a release date yet.
952 147 834 * O f f e r v a l i d f o r n e w c u s t o m e r s o n l y. S u b j e c t t o c o n d i t i o n s . E n d s 3 1 / 1 2 / 2 0 . * * C e p s a v o u c h e r o f f e r e n d s 0 6 / 1 2 / 2 0 2 0 . T ’s & C ’s a t l i n e a d i r e c t a . c o m
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BUSINESS
Sailing away
THE port of Valencia has emerged as Spain’s number one for connectivity and business. And it comes in fourth around Europe, behind Rotterdam, Antwerp and Hamburg, says a UN survey. The report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), saw Valencia climb up the table for many indices. It now leads Barcelona and Algeciras, which come in at seventh and eighth in the rankings, mostly dominated by Asian ports.
Jobs
Shanghai in China comes in as number one globally, while the top ten is dominated by China and other Asian countries, though Rotterdam and Antwerp come in at seventh and eighth. In the global list, rankings are based upon ‘connectivity’ and it evaluates more than 900 ports around the world. Valencia port has connections with 1,000 ports in 168 countries and has 98 regular lines with 35 different shipping companies. The port generates €2,500 million a year - or 2.5% of the total for the Valencian Community - and is responsible for 40,000 jobs.
November 27th - December 10th 2020
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Warmer cheers Brewery giant to hand out terrace heaters this winter in €20m plan
SPAIN’S biggest brewer, Mahou San Miguel, is to pump in €20 million to keep bar terraces as warm and comfortable as possible this winter. Indoor capacity restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic have forced drinkers outdoors but they now face chillier nights as the winter draws in. Mahou San Miguel’s general manager, Peio Arbeloa, said: “We have been planning
KEEP WARM: Peio Arbeloa (inset) revealed new plan By Alex Trelinski
this measure since May as we knew that the arrival of cold temperatures would be
Merger Mooted TWO of Spain’s largest banks, the BBVA and Banco Sabadell, have opened formal merger talks Informal discussions have been held this year but have now moved to a formal stage. A union between them would create a new business similar in size to that of the merged Bankia and CaixaBank, which was agreed in September. A deal between the BBVA and Sabadell would create a
Heaters
business employing 46,000 people with over 4,200 branches in Spain. Branch closures seem likely, with banks cutting down on staffing and offices in recent years to focus on internet banking.
WE’RE OUT OF WORK OVER 35,000 jobs will be lost in the Balearic Islands due to the coronavirus crisis, a finacial report has revealed. Bleak figures were published by Spanish bank BBVA highlighting the thousands of jobs lost this year. Forecasters say that this will result in a considerable number of people failing to find other work. This will raise the region’s unemployment level which is predicted to stand at 17.3% by the second quarter of 2021. It comes as figures show of more than 5% from the same period in 2020. Analysis also revealed that those under the age of 35-years-old will have suffered the most in regards to losing their jobs this year. Men and women have however been affected equally. Interestingly, when looking back at
a turning point for bars and restaurants. “We know there is a real need for businesses to get this help, especially as they cannot pay for it themselves.” The company plans to hand out 22,000 heaters in addition to 42,000 umbrellas and over 136,000 units of terrace furniture.
the 2008 financial crisis, men were impacted more in the region. The report was presented by BBVA economist Miguel Cardoso and regional director David Conde in a telematic meeting organised by the Balearic government. Conde said: “The health crisis has impacted the Balearic Islands considerably and the blow has been tremendously hard.” The Balearics are among the worst hit in Spain by the COVID-19 pandemic, ranking highest for unemployment in the entire country with its GDP also falling by a historic 40.5% in the second quarter of 2020. Conde continued that ‘recovery would be very difficult’, and that ‘the economy would not be at the same pre-crisis level until at least 2022, but more likely in 2023’. PICTURE: by Alan Binderup
CLOSED Businesses in Mallorca have been forced to close after profits plumet
Mahou San Miguel will also provide 29,000 sanitation kits to reassure customers that socialising under distancing rules is safe. “We are fully focused on understanding what the hospitality sector wants and protect this economic pillar of the Spanish economy,” Arbeloa added.
No picnic!
I
T’S really sad driving by Palma airport and seeing all the planes parked up. The airline industry is suffering probably worse than most, and it’s the main reason I’m here. My partner and I came to live in Mallorca at the start of the year with his job as a pilot for Jet2, but he hasn’t worked a single day since! No one could have predicted when we welcomed in a new year what was about to descend on us. When we arrived at the end of February we were so excited to be starting a new life in Mallorca. But just three weeks in we watched on the news the growing threat of coronavirus before Spain went into lockdown. Since then, Paul doesn’t think he will work until at least the start of the summer season in March 2021 and has joined the long line of people on Erte, which has been somewhat unpredictable when it comes to payments. So, whilst I’m doing my best as a writer, forget PR for now because the budget for that was one of the first things to go! It’s tough! The pressure for a lot of couples having to endure lockdowns together is already a real tester of their relationship. Add to that the loss of income and job uncertainty and what you’re left with is another layer of stress. After nine months of not working, the hardest thing for Paul is filling his day. Whilst many of our friends and family are envious of what appears to be our permanent holiday in the sun. They’re not privy to hear, or witness, the 5 am angst-ridden conversations we have when one of us cannot sleep with worry. Annoyingly for him I tend to knock on his chest asking if he’s awake. Well, if you weren’t, you are now! It’s not just about whether he’ll still have a job next year but the impact of that on our future because we live here now. And with all the will in the world, it’s really bloody hard to find an alternative job during this crisis when you don’t speak Spanish! I believe many men all over the world are secretly struggling. It doesn’t matter what business you’re in because every last one of them has taken a hit. Whether you’re an airline pilot, a restaurateur, or sales assistant, this virus has screwed every-
Telling it like it is
Our move to Mallorca has been tough with a nightmare situation regarding jobs and mental health
PROPERTY
November 27th December 10th 2020
Knockdown price Fraudster tries to flog multimillion Spanish palace he doesn’t own for €900,000
By Laurence Crumbie
GROUNDED No chance to fly one. People are just trying to keep their head above water financially to safeguard their families. But aside from the financial support our governments are trying to give, there isn’t much mental support. We hear about the impact on mental health that this situation is causing, but are we really listening to those closest to us? Having had heartfelt conversations with Paul, I know he’s struggling. Yes, he’s down, understandably, but I’m scared he’ll fall down the rabbit hole if he isn’t thrown a career lifeline soon. The airline industry has no idea what will happen next year because so much rests on air bridges being restored and on people’s confidence to travel. Holidays may not seem like a necessity, but the global airline industry makes in excess of $800 billion each year. Hopefully with the recent announcement of vaccines this may help reverse the current situation. But look at EasyJet ‘s £1.3billion (€1.45 billion) loss, the first in its 25-year history, following the flights constantly being cancelled. Those planes need to get off the ground, and soon, if the whole travel and tourism sector is to be saved! PLEASE FOLLOW ME
OP QUICK Crossword
OP Sudoku
Terenia Taras
@tereniataras
Across 7 “Good heavens!” (2,2) 8 Poll’s findings (8) 9 Cross rats veer all over the place (8) 10 Corn covering (4) 11 “Private Benjamin” actress (4) 12 Annoy (8) 14 Wine crops (8) 16 Where tadpoles might be found (4) 17 Botanical balm (4) 19 Yesteryear (3,5) 20 Militant supporter (8) 21 “It’s good for what --you” (4) Down 1 Lost one’s query (5,2,1) 2 Abounding in trees (6) 3 Accommodation for paying guests (8,5) 4 No.2 who oversees moral weakness? (4-9) 5 Million seller, for example (3,3) 6 Burden of proof (4) 13 With affection (8) 15 Unlawful removals (6) 16 Earliest (6) 18 Desired by detectives and salespeople (4)
All solutions are on page 14
IF it seems too good to be true, then it probably is. Rarely if ever was this maximum for prospective buyers truer than earlier this year, when a grand gothic palace in the picturesque town of Cazalla de la Sierra, north-western Andalucia, went on sale for less than a fifth of its actual value. Erected in the 15th century, the Palacio de San Benito is a luxury hotel aimed at guests who wish ‘to live like kings,’ though it initially served as a hospital for pilgrims travelling on the Camino de Santiago. Its turbulent history includes partial destruction in the earthquake of Lisboa, 1531, as well as a change of hands after the Spanish Civil War. Various restorations have resulted in a unique architectural blend of the old and the modern, and the property has an estimated value of €5 million. Manuel Morales, an interior designer who renovated the palace together with art collector Carlos Maranon in the 1990s, could hardly believe his eyes when he saw it for sale online, without the per-
SWANKY: seriously undervalued
mission of the owner. “It’s as if you wake up one day and see your home on sale for a price much lower than its actual value,” he told Spanish newspaper ABC. The sales
advert was taken down after Morales contacted his lawyer, but there has been no news on the fraudster who put it online in the first place.
Golden years
MORTGAGE repayments in Spain won’t go up for a decade, according to one of Spain’s leading bankers. CEO of Caixabank Gonzalo Cortazar said the Euribor rate - which currently stands at a historic low of -0.468% - will be the ‘new normal’ for banks until 2031. EURIBOR, which is the interest rate at which credit institutions lend money to
Low mortgage rates to reign in Spain for at least a decade
each other, has not stopped falling since the coronavirus pandemic began. The negative rates mean the cost of repayments on variable mortgages have plummeted in the last few months, with some home-
Silent witness A JUDGE has ordered respected Brit architect Norman Foster to testify as a witness in a multi-million euro embezzlement case in Spain. If Foster refuses he will face arrest, say officials. Judge Jose de la Mata from Spain's highest criminal court, Audencia Nacional, ordered authorities to locate Foster in Switzerland. Although not involved in the alleged wrongdoing, Foster is a required witness to the case. On trial are eight business people involved in a €80 million development plan for a new judicial centre in Madrid, which was never built. Foster was first contacted by judges in January and given the opportunity to testify via video call from Britain. But UK authorities told the Spanish judge that the architect was actually living in Switzerland. Foster is one of Britain's best architects and creator of The Gherkin and Millenium Bridge. He is married to Spanish publisher and art curator Elena Ochoa Foster.
CREATION: Foster and his design for a Madrid court
owners even seeing reductions of up to €120 on the price of their loans for next year. Now Spanish analysts have revealed they foresee banks gearing up to offer steep discounts on fixed mortgages to pull in customers. Forecasters predict that lenders will be forced to slash rates on fixed deals to steer people away from variable rates. Meanwhile some banks may insert clauses saying interest payments will never fall below zero.
Pressure And while this is all good news for homeowners or prospective buyers, these negative rates are putting pressure on the banking sector and add to other foreseeable consequences of the coronavirus crisis in Spain. Cortazar has pointed out that with this situation and with the prospects that non-performing loans will rise during 2021, banks have no choice but to find ways to improve income and accelerate efficiency. He highlighted plans to merge CaixaBank with Bankia in order to weather the storm. “Until then, customers will not perceive that there is a single entity,” he said.
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
Testing times
TRAVEL groups in Spain say that an order for international passenger arrivals at Spanish airports and ports to produce the recent results of a negative COVID-19 test is not good for tourism, The rules apply to people arriving from ‘at risk’ countries, which include the United Kingdom. Groups are concerned about the high cost of the required PCR tests and the fact that the Madrid government acted unilaterally, as opposed to the European Union introducing uniform requirements. The Benidorm-based hotel association, Hosbec, said: “The need for PCR tests is not a measure that will contribute positively to tourism, especially on the Costa Blanca. “It’s useless to impose rules over PCR tests if travel quarantines are not scrapped. We ought to be working on developing safe travel corridors but something like this is preventing their creation,” Hosbec added.
Staying put
IN the latest blow for Spain’s tourism industry, a study has revealed that just 38% of Brits will consider travelling abroad this Christmas. According to data from Piplsay, over half of Britons have confirmed that if they do travel this festive season it will be for domestic trips only. Additionally, it looks like a un-merry Christmas for many as a third of Brits will cut down on socialising this season. It comes after the UK government introduced a travel ban on November 5, which rendered international travel and overnight stays in Britain illegal. Although the ban is set to be lifted on December 2, this latest study has revealed that the majority (77%) of Brits still fear lockdown restrictions will affect their holiday plans.
November 27th - December 10th 2020
Easy cash
A COURT in Sevilla has condemned budget airline EasyJet for charging a Spanish passenger €60 to board with his laptop. The 19-year-old, named only as Yoel, was boarding an aircraft travelling from Sevilla’s San Pablo Airport to Bristol when an air hostess told him his laptop was not permitted onboard and gave him an ultimatum: either he paid €60 on the spot or his computer staid on Spanish soil. Yoel, who studies in Bristol and travels on the Sevilla-Bristol line twice a week, was understandably confused and asked why this was. But the EasyJet employee simply said that those were the rules and repeated his two options. The incident took place right in the plane doorway
Airline made to reimburse Spanish student after slapping him with €60 fine for carrying laptop onboard
NOT FAIR: Laptop surcharge was deemed illegal By Laurence Crumbie
and caused a disturbance just before departure, leaving the passenger with no
OP Puzzle solutions Quick Crossword Across: 7 Oh my, 8 Opinions, 9 Traverse, 10 Husk, 11 Hawn, 12 Irritate, 14 Vintages, 16 Pond, 17 Aloe, 19 Old times, 20 Partisan, 21 Ails. Down: 1 Where am I, 2 Sylvan, 3 Boarding house, 4 Vice-President, 5 Big hit, 6 Onus, 13 Tenderly, 15 Thefts, 16 Primal, 18 Lead.
SUDOKU
14
choice but to take out his credit card and pay up – despite his reluctance. On his return to Sevilla, Yoel informed EasyJet of this unjust fine and asked for his money back. When the airline refused to comply, the student went the legal route and the case eventually landed in Sevilla’s Mercantil court number three. At the trial, which EasyJet did not attend, the judge sided with Yoel and sentenced the airline to reimburse him with interest and to pay a fine as well.
Chef’s kiss! SAN SEBASTIAN has been named the sixth best foodie spot in the world according to a panel of top chefs. The much loved city in the Basque Country is the only Spanish town to make the list. Chef’s Pencil surveyed 250 foodies and chefs for the list and quizzed them on the best underrated food destinations across the world. And while many of the places, like San Sebastian, are already wellknown and appreciated for their gastronomic excellence, the judges believed San Sebastian still lacks the international recognition it truly deserves. Chef’s Pencil said it was a shame foodies flock to the likes of Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia when the Basque town has some of the best food on the planet.
Friends.
Reset.
Music.
At OD Port Portals we have our own star rating. In fact, we have all the stars of the Mallorca sky and we will enjoy them all together every summer night at OD Sky Bar, on our spacious terrace and at our restaurant On Top. A hotel full of local experiences, music, art, gastronomy, yoga, pre-parties, flea markets, brunches, concerts, Pilates, tardeo, sea, sun and all the stars. A hotel full of life.
Horizon.
Sunset.
Social
Judges praised San Sebastian for catering to every taste, from ‘the avant garde, highly innovative Mugaritz, and cheap eats – like the Basque-style tapas at pintxo bars and exquisitely fine seafood, all to be devoured in a city that sees food as reason to be social’. Cape Town took first place, followed by Budapest, Chicago, Melbourne and Mexico City.
Memories.
HEALTH Raisin to the occasion IT’S a phrase muttered over and over again in Spain’s vineyards - raisins are good for your memory. And as one of the biggest producers of the dried grape snack in the Europe, it’s easy to see how this rumour might have persisted. But now the Junta of Andalucia are sorting the facts from the folklore with its new research into whether raisins can prevent Alzheimer’s. According to the Junta, it hopes the results of its study will encourage more people to eat raisins and consequently boost the region where they’ve been produced. A study in 2019, by the regulatory council of the Pasas de Malaga Denomination of Origin, confirmed that eating raisins is beneficial for people’s health. However, raisins are over eight times more calorific than grapes, so those cutting down the calories might still want to go for the nondried diet.
Let Down THE Medical Council of Spain has urged the government’s Chief of Health Emergencies Fernando Simon to stand down over his handling of the country’s COVID-19 crisis. Medical professionals have accused Simon of ‘undermining the morale of overworked doctors’ and of showing a prolonged incompetence in his handling of the pandemic. The council, which represents 52 medical colleges across the country, made the statement in response to Simon apparently placing some of the blame for Spain’s increase in cases on doctors. Simon had said during a media briefing that medical workers were responsible for a number of infections, and suggested that hospitals had ‘learned valuable lessons’ from the first wave. Simon has been accused of not listening to the needs of the country’s hospitals, which have been put under immense strain since the pandemic began in March. The council claims that no proper precautions were put in place by Simon’s team to protect the safety of doctors, including a lack of protective equipment and diagnostic testing kits. Simon is also being called out on his failure to assemble an independent team to review the government’s handling of
15 The Strain In Spain Went Mainly By The Plane
November 27th - December 10th 2020
Doctors call for health boss to quit over his handling of crisis By James Warren
the pandemic. In total, 72 medical professionals have died since the beginning of March, a fact that has been overlooked and undermined, according to the statement. “Thousands more are still fighting to deal with a pandemic the likes of which we have never seen,” said a spokesman for the council. But Simon has received support in the wake of the council’s comments.
Former WHO systems director and current Director for Health and Strategy in Bilbao, Prof Rafael Bengoa, defended Simon, calling for an understanding not finger pointing. “This isn’t the way forward, when mistakes are made in our hospitals, we ask, ‘what happened?’ and not ‘whose fault is it’? That’s how we learn,” said Bengoa. Simon is no stranger to controversy, after testing positive earlier in the year, he was pictured surfing in Portugal, appearing to defy his own lockdown rules.
Lifting hopes
A DENIA company that makes machines to process nuts has come up with a patent for a coronavirus-free elevator. The invention is the brainchild of Jose Roig, 45, who manages the Borrell factory. He created the ‘safe’ lift using techniques similar to those used in sterilising nuts. “We have more than a million elevators in Spain and it made me think that we could adapt what we use already to create a sterile lift,” he said. Roig’s prototype life uses up to 220 nanometres of ultraviolet light to disinfect the elevator in less than a minute once it comes to a halt and people have exited. The prototype also includes a locking mechanism that closes the doors and triggers an alarm if it detects that the lift is overcrowded, therefore ensuring some kind of social distancing. The inventor clearly has a creative mind with 14 patents to his name and another four in the pipeline.
SPAIN is behind a mutated strain of coronavirus that has spread across Europe, causing a second surge and leading to the current widespread lockdowns, say researchers. Even with hugely reduced numbers of tourists to Spain over the summer, down around 80% and causing misery to business in the tourism sector, the specific variant has been identified as causing a majority of new cases across the continent. An international team of scientists tracked the mutant strain, called 20A.EU1 as it originated in Spain and travSCIENTISTS in Spain are studying how exercising twice a week for 50 minutes can help boost recovery from so-called ‘Long-Covid’. Exercises used in the study include a programme of strength and aerobic exercises to help people return to full health post-coronavirus. Understanding the best rehabilitation methods is becoming increasingly important as people continue to report ‘long Covid’ symptoms - such as fatigue and dehydration - that have continued for many months after first contracting the virus. The push towards exercise is particularly important as, in
By Eugene Costello
elled across Europe. It accounts for nearly 80% of new cases traced in Spain, an astonishing 90% in the UK and 60% in Ireland. Investigations led the team back to outbreaks among agricultural workers on farms in Aragon and Catalunya, from where it raced across the country rapidly, infecting holidaymakers from overseas. Very few strains have ‘spread as successfully and become as prevalent’ as 20A.EU1, revealed a spokesman at the University of Basel.
Health kick the first lockdown, Spaniards gained on average three to five kilos due to consumption of unhealthy foods, lack of exercise and many hours sat in front of a screen. Additionally, those without a healthy lifestyle may experience a more severe reaction, say doctors. “Obese people are more at risk of needing intensive care,” said Francisco Tinahones, president of the Spanish Society for the Study of Obesity (SEEDO).
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Clogging along
FINAL WORDS
DR Christian Lopez, holder of the most Guinness World Records in Spain, has added a 40th to his list by running the fastest mile in Dutch clogs.
Cashing in THE Spanish government has given residents an extra six months to cash in any pesetas they may have, of which €1.6 billion worth remain in circulation.
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Teen ignores court order to dangle 180 metres above ground A BRITISH teenager returned to Benidorm this month to foolishly climb naked up a 180 metre-high crane next to the towering Intempo building. Adam Lockwood, who brands himself on social media as ‘The Little Nuisance’ illegally climbed six of the resort’s tallest buildings in February.
‘Big good’ MCDONALD’s has launched a burger made entirely with produce from local Spanish farmers to help them get through the economic slump.
Those included the Intempo, the Torre Lugano, and the Gran Bali, which is the tallest hotel in Europe. The 19-year-old from Wigan was not put off by being arrested and fined earlier this year, as he bared all for his latest dangerous stunt. He posted several photographs of him dangling naked
NUISANCE: Adam Lockwood
off the Intempo crane on November 11. One pose showed him clinging on with just arm. Lockwood said on his social media account that his latest stunt enabled AN 81-year-old man from Madrid is training to climb the him to ‘tick Himalayas in tribute to those that have died from corothat one off navirus. the list of toCarlos Soria (pictured) will climb the 8,848 metre peaks tally unnecand dedicate his journey to the elderly people who lost their essary things lives to COVID-19. Of the 40,000 coronavirus deaths in to do before I Spain, more than 20% have occurred in the over-80s turn 20’. demographic. The teenagSoria has been training in the Sierra Guadarraer was senma mountains next to his home just north of tenced to three Madrid in preparation for his trek. After the months in jail Himalayas he hopes to climb Tibet’s Shisin August, hapangma and Dhaulagiri in Nepal. suspended for
Peak ambition
two years, by a judge in Manchester. Manchester City Council said he breached a three-year injunction imposed in 2019 that banned him from trespassing and posting content online. The judge branded his stunts ironically as ‘the height of stupidity’ and that Lockwood was motivated by ‘arrogance’ and a craving for ‘celebrity’. British transgressions included him standing on the roof of the Arndale Food Court during a Black Lives Matter protest in June. A few days later, he dangled from the edge of a 180 metre balcony off a building in London’s Canary Wharf.
A WOMEN’S rights campaigner has been fined for ‘offending religion’ after parading a huge vagina through the streets during a Women’s Day march. The protester was convicted of ‘a crime against religious sentiments’ by a Malaga court for mocking the holy Easter parades at Semana Santa in 2013. She was taken to court in a private prosecution by the Association of Christian Lawyers, which sought a 12-month prison sentence. She was instead fined €2,700 and will pay off the fine at €10 per day for the next nine months. The stunt formed part of several protests throughout the Women’s Day march in the city. The defendant insisted her procession was merely a ‘performative act of protest’ and that she did not intend to offend religious feelings. “I don’t see how it can be offensive,” she said, “it can be rude, but not offensive.”
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